A moment map for the G-action on (M, ω) is a map such that
for all ξ in . Here is the function from M to R defined by . The moment map is uniquely defined up to an additive constant of integration.
A moment map is often also required to be G-equivariant, where G acts on via the coadjoint action. If the group is compact or semisimple, then the constant of integration can always be chosen to make the moment map coadjoint equivariant; however in general the coadjoint action must be modified to make the map equivariant (this is the case for example for the Euclidean group).
Read more about Moment Map: Hamiltonian Group Actions, Examples, Symplectic Quotients
Famous quotes containing the words moment and/or map:
“Logic is the procession or proportionate unfolding of the intuition; but its virtue is as silent method; the moment it would appear as propositions, and have a separate value, it is worthless.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (18031882)
“In my writing I am acting as a map maker, an explorer of psychic areas ... a cosmonaut of inner space, and I see no point in exploring areas that have already been thoroughly surveyed.”
—William Burroughs (b. 1914)